Simeone: Athletic Bilbao are a team with a lot of intensity

May 7, 2012 12:55:00 PM

The Colchoneros coach has warned his side not to underestimate the Basque outfit ahead of Wednesday's all-Spanish Europa League final in Bucharest

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is eagerly anticipating the Europa League decider against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday May 9.

The Argentine coach is full of respect for Athletic, and has stressed that the Vicente Calderon side have to be compact in order to be successful against Marcelo Bielsa's men.

"They're a team with a lot of intensity, a direct style of football, quick, brave, a team that isn't afraid to play their way, even in away matches," Simeone said to uefa.com.

"They've played like that throughout the whole season. And knowing the team and their coach, I know they will be the same in any game, whether it's a friendly or a final.

"We'll need to be compact and fast, and more focused than in a league match. To face another Spanish club, having played each other before in the league, also means that we know each other very well on many levels. And the best thing about facing a Spanish club is that this is very important for Spanish football."

Wednesday's final in Bucharest kicks off at 20.45CET.

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